Scabrous Elephantfoot Herb — Safety & Interactions
Di Dan Tou · Herba Elephantopi Scaberis
Use with caution. Practitioner review recommended before use.
Contraindications
- Cold patterns — absence of fever, clear or pale secretions, aversion to cold; cold-natured herb will aggravate Yang deficiency
- Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold with loose stools
- Pregnancy — sesquiterpene lactones (deoxyelephantopin, elephantopin) are cytotoxic; embryotoxicity not formally excluded; avoid
Cautions
- Standard dose: 15–30 g dried herb in decoction; 30–60 g fresh herb; external use: fresh herb macerated as poultice
- SAFETY-CRITICAL: deoxyelephantopin and elephantopin are potent sesquiterpene lactones with confirmed cytotoxic activity — prolonged high-dose internal use without clinical supervision is not recommended
- Sesquiterpene lactone contact sensitisation: cross-reactive dermatitis possible in Asteraceae-allergic individuals; patch test recommended before topical use
- Cytotoxic chemotherapy: theoretical additive cytotoxicity — avoid concurrent use without oncology supervision
Drug Interactions
| Drug Class / Substrate | Mechanism | Severity | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cytotoxic chemotherapy agents — additive cytotoxic effect via deoxyelephantopin; avoid without oncology supervision | |||
Pregnancy
Not recommended during pregnancy. Consult a qualified practitioner before any use.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal medicines, especially if you take prescription medications.